Volume One, Chapter 10: Shang Chen Has a Nosebleed

While still marveling, Shang Chen entered carrying two buckets of hot water. Upon entering, he motioned for Song Yi to step aside, then exerted his strength to pour both buckets into the basin. "Is this enough?" he asked.

Song Yi peeked in and replied, "Yes, thank you so much."

Shang Chen gave a faint grunt in acknowledgment. "Call me if you need anything."

Song Yi felt embarrassingly touched by his thoughtfulness and said, "Okay." After Shang Chen left, she undressed and stepped into the wooden tub.

The lukewarm water gently soothed her body; the exhaustion of a hard day seemed to melt away. Song Yi let out a long breath and submerged herself deeper into the basin.

She lingered until the water cooled, reluctantly stepping out. But as she reached to dry herself, she froze.

She had forgotten to bring a towel.

What should she do?

Frowning in distress, Song Yi glanced around the room and then outside. Hesitant, she tentatively called out, "Shang Chen."

Leaning against the wall, Shang Chen was gazing at the stars. Hearing her, his voice was low and deep. "Yes?"

She only dared to call his name tentatively, relieved to find he was there. "I... I forgot my towel."

"I know."

Less than a minute later, there was a knock at the bathroom door.

"Open up."

Song Yi cautiously cracked the door open, hiding her body outside and extending only an arm. "Thank you. Please give it to me."

Though both had grown up in the countryside, her skin was fairer than any other village girl’s; her arm was as flawless as white jade.

At that moment, her arm was still damp, and under the light, it dazzled painfully.

Shang Chen’s heart seemed aflame, his throat dry, involuntarily flashing through various inappropriate images.

Seeing Shang Chen’s silence, Song Yi peeked out nervously. "What’s wrong? Can you just—"

Her words faltered as she caught his blatant gaze. Her heart raced wildly. "What... what’s wrong with you?"

She felt utterly helpless and on the verge of tears. She had only asked him to hand over a towel, but why was his expression like that?

Shang Chen lifted his eyes, his gaze resting on Song Yi’s flushed and embarrassed face, steamed by the hot water. His body jolted as if struck by electricity, and a warm sensation surged from his nose.

Snatching the towel, Song Yi slammed the door shut with a bang and scolded, "Pervert! Shameless!"

Why couldn’t his mind ever focus on something decent? It was all dirty thoughts.

Shang Chen stared at the door like a hungry wolf, wiped the blood from his nose, and turned away.

When Song Yi emerged, she found Shang Chen showering in the courtyard again.

His strong arms lifted half a bucket, pouring water over his head; droplets scattered, soaking his suspiciously flushed face.

Seeing Song Yi, his dark eyes fixed on her intently.

Song Yi spat at him and turned back inside.

After a while, Shang Chen returned, his handsome face calm once more.

Song Yi sat properly on the bed, pointing to the floor mattress. "You sleep on the floor, I’ll take the bed."

She had just realized Shang Chen shouldn’t sleep on the bed; he had to sleep on the floor to tame his wild nature.

Shang Chen stood silently.

Her heart skipped a beat. She lifted her chin, trying to sound firm. "What? You don’t want to?"

Once spoken, she felt anxious, wondering if she had been too harsh.

Shang Chen said nothing, kicked off his slippers, and silently lay down on the floor mattress.

No rush.

He would sleep in the other half of the bed one day.

&

Song Yi thought she wouldn’t fall asleep in the new place, but hearing the steady breathing from the floor, she soon drifted into a sweet, deep sleep.

She slept soundly and deeply, waking only at eight in the morning.

At the breakfast table, Shang Chen was speaking to Song Xingmin and Li Yuhua. "Uncle Song, Aunt Li, I want to talk to you about something."

Seeing his serious expression, Song Xingmin exchanged a glance with Li Yuhua, nervously asking, "What is it?"

Shang Chen softened his tone. "It’s nothing serious. I plan to have Song Yi accompany me on my military assignment."

Song Xingmin was taken aback. "Military assignment? What do you mean?"

Remembering her conversation with Shang Chen last night, Song Yi quickly stepped beside Li Yuhua and explained, "It means the family members move with the soldiers and live together in the military district compound."

Shang Chen nodded in affirmation and continued, "I haven’t told you before because I’ve already been enlisted for a year and was promoted to company commander last month. Now that Yi Yi and I are married, she must accompany me. So I want to know what you think—whether you want to stay in Tianqiao Township or come with us."

Before Song Xingmin could answer, Song Yi spoke up, "Shang Chen, I was just about to say this—I don’t agree to go with you."

Shang Chen lifted his eyelids to look at her. "I know you’re worried about Uncle Song and Aunt Li. If they agree, they can come with us."

Song Yi shook her head slowly. "It’s not about my parents. I just don’t want to go with you."

Shang Chen furrowed his brow deeply. "Why?"

He knew Song Yi never wanted to marry him; they had even discussed divorce yesterday. But that matter was settled and unchangeable.

Besides, military families received benefits, including monthly supplies and a five-yuan allowance.

Song Xingmin and Li Yuhua looked puzzled and even tried to persuade her. "Nannan, it’s understandable if we don’t go—we’re not suited for it—but how can you refuse?"

Shang’s grandmother added, "Yes, Nannan, why don’t you want to go with that rascal? You just got married; why be apart?"

They were married, so living apart made no sense, especially since conditions allowed family members to accompany soldiers.

Song Yi shook her head. "There’s no reason—I just don’t want to go, and I still have to study."

She had her own life and didn’t want to be too entangled with Shang Chen. If they could separate, it was better not to be together.

Shang Chen raised an eyebrow, surprised. "You want to study? You can do that in Anshi, and military families get preferential treatment."

Song Yi was stunned. "Your unit is in Anshi?!"

Oh my, the city that had surged to the forefront of the national economic development plan and had become the top province in the northwest by the 1990s?

They said back then, Anshi was paved with gold—money could be picked up just by bending over.

If she really had to go to Anshi, what was there to hesitate about?!

Her heart raced with excitement, eyes shining. "You don’t need to say more. I agree to go with Shang Chen."

Shang Chen watched her excited expression, lips pressed lightly, a flicker of doubt in his eyes.

He had begged her before, and she refused. How could she change her mind just by hearing the name Anshi?

He had heard that Xie Yu, that weakling, had been admitted to Anshi University. Could it be that Song Yi was doing this for him?